Pune-based ailing fan gets special Sunny message

Sunil Gavaskar

In the bustling lobby of the team hotel in New York, fans eagerly gathered, hoping for a fleeting moment with their favourite athletes. Amidst the clamour for autographs and selfies, one dedicated fan caught Sunil Gavaskar's attention. Unlike the usual requests, this fan had a special favour to ask, revealing a personal story that deeply touched Gavaskar's heart. Without hesitation, Gavaskar listened intently and obliged the fan.

Akshay Lodha revealed that his uncle, Dhananjay Lodha, now 63, once travelled from Pune to Mumbai in 1984 just to see Gavaskar bat. With his characteristic humour, Gavaskar quipped, "Was I out for a duck?"

The crowd surrounding the revered cricketer broke into rapturous laughter. What followed was an emotional moment. Akshay asked if Gavaskar would record a brief video for his uncle, who was recovering from a stroke. This would uplift his spirits during his medical recovery from the stroke he suffered in July 2022. Dhananjay lives in Vishantwadi, Pune.

‘For me, Gavaskar is God'

Gavaskar immediately asked Akshay to start recording. In a heartfelt message, Gavaskar wished Akshay's uncle a speedy recovery and sent his good wishes. One can only imagine the emotional response of Akshay's uncle upon receiving a personal video message from the Little Master himself. Akshay spoke with his uncle and mentioned the interaction with Gavaskar. "You have made my life. For me, Gavaskar is God," Dhananjay said.

This interaction showcased Gavaskar's humanitarian side, proving that behind the fame and glory lie a deep commitment to positively impacting the lives of his devoted supporters. Apart from being an exceptional opening batsman for India, Gavaskar has been involved in numerous humanitarian activities. His work with the Heart to Heart Foundation is where he helps pediatric cardiac patients undergo corrective surgery, giving them the gift of life. These surgeries are free for families who cannot afford expensive procedure. Children with Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) often face grim prognoses, and such surgeries offer them hope and a chance at life. Gavaskar has made several trips to the United States for fundraising, with the revenue going towards free cardiac surgeries for families from impoverished backgrounds.

Humanitarian causes

We all know about Gavaskar's accomplishments as a batsman who played 125 Tests for India, amassing 10,122 runs with 34 Test centuries. We have known Gavaskar as a batsman, India captain, and commentator. This interaction reveals this cricket icon's gentle, compassionate side, highlighting his dedication to humanitarian causes.

Chicago-based surgeon Dr Nilesh Mehta is at the T20 World Cup